Sometimes it’s hard to dive into a 19th century novel with gusto.
Most classic novels were written much differently than novels of today, and the difference in the manner of speaking can be a difficult barrier to overcome. Not to mention, there’s often societal nuance to classic novels that is misunderstood or confusing.
However, classics are classic for a reason. I’m not here to say you should jump on the bandwagon of every book that is highly talked about or sells millions of copies. In fact, I’m sure I will make a post in the future as to why this isn’t a great indicator of a novel’s quality. Still, classics are books that have been around for a very, very long time. There is a reason they are still talked about, taught, and studied.
As much as I would’ve liked to keep my head buried in the YA fantasy genre, I’m exceptionally glad I’ve branched out because I now find enjoyment in all sorts of books. If you are also someone who is typically set in one genre, this list might help you explore new literary horizons. Expanding your reading catalogue is always a good thing in my book.
I don’t think you need to start with the stuffy, long-winded books, though. Instead, I’ve compiled a list of beginner-friendly classics that I think will ease readers into the genre without boring or overwhelming them. I also think this list applies if you’re a reader of classics but you want a nice palate cleanser when going from something like Tolstoy to Dostoevsky.
I stuck with the 19th century to give this list some extra parameters, but there are of course many more classics out there. I also think the 19th century classics are some of the most enjoyable novels to read once you get into them so I wanted to make list that served as sort of a gateway.
One last note: I’m not saying these are the BEST of the classics, just that they are easier to read than others. Though I did personally find all of them enjoyable.
The list:
- Emma by Jane Austen:
Emma is about a wealthy young woman who loves to play matchmaker with her friends and family. Emma herself is witty and strong-willed, like most of Austen’s protagonists, and the story is set up like a wild goose-chase which will keep you interested. I know many people find Emma to be a bit insufferable with all of her meddling, but when you look at the story through the lens of a naive young woman who thinks she knows it all, it becomes much more relative to our younger selves. - Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen:
Obviously. People have been discussing the romance between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett for over a century. There is a good amount of societal critique, another one of Austen’s calling cards, and the story is fun, dramatic, and engaging. After you read the book you can watch the 2005 cinematic masterpiece as well as the 1995 UK miniseries, both of which are the bomb dot com. - The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
If you like a slow descent into madness with philosophical critique on morality, this book is for you. Also, it’s less than two-hundred pages which makes it more accessible than, say, Charles Dickens. - Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
This is one of my favorites on this list. I think Tess’s story is extremely relatable, even for being written so long ago. To me, the main character is similar to Jane of Jane Eyre, but the story is significantly more entertaining. Both character’s fates are in the hands of those around them, but Tess’s is infinitely more tragic. - Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
If you weren’t forced to read this in school (more than once, in my own experience), then this is a really easy and spooky classic to read. The writing style is accessible to the average reader and the elements of gothic horror blended with Shelley’s creative themes makes for a very entertaining read. - Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
I don’t care if this is a kid’s novel, it’s a good book. It’s a fun, imaginative, and if you find an illustrated version then you’re definitely in for a good time. It was published in 1865 so you can read this novel and say you’ve read a 19th century classic. In the same vein, Grimm’s Fairytales and Little Red Riding Hood also apply here. - The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
This is a short sci-fi story about traveling forward in time to a dystopian future and is credited with the popularization of several now-prominent time traveling conventions. Wells is an author that I personally find super easy to read. I’m putting his most well-known work here as my recommendation, but I think most of his books or short stories could fit on this list. Have at it. - The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
I must admit, this one is not my favorite. Still, it is a 19th century classic and it is also very, very short. The writing is easy to get through and the story will likely make you chuckle, if only because of the absurdity of it all. Plus, it is nearing Halloween time right now. This book exudes spooky vibes, so it’d be a good one to check out. If you like this book, I do recommend Treasure Island. It is much better, but it is quite a bit longer which is why I chose the other novel for the list instead.
If you finish this list and have a hankering for more, there are of course all the novels by Tolstoy, Twain, Dickens, Dostoevsky, etc. Plus classics like The Scarlett Letter which are great reads but can be difficult to digest at first because of the language. My biggest tip for the language barrier is to just keep reading them. Read slowly, a chapter a night if that’s all you can get through, but keep reading. Eventually the language will become easier to comprehend and you will be off reading every classic you can think of, even the not so great ones.
The Lit Wiz